Japan and South Korea are two of the best-known places to teach English abroad. Both governments run programmes that bring English speakers into state schools: the JET Programme in Japan and EPIK in Korea. Private language schools also hire teachers directly.
This guide explains who can join JET and EPIK, what they pay, when to apply, and which work visas English teachers use in each country. Every rule comes from the programme’s own website or the immigration authority, checked in October 2026. Rules can change each year, so check the official pages before you apply.
JET and EPIK at a glance
| JET Programme (Japan) | EPIK (Korea) | |
|---|---|---|
| How you apply | Through the Embassy or Consulate of Japan in your home country | To EPIK (run by NIIED, under Korea’s Ministry of Education), its partner organisations or recruitment agencies |
| Where you work | Schools across Japan, as an assistant language teacher (ALT) | Public elementary, middle and high schools across Korea |
| Degree | Bachelor’s or higher by the arrival date, or a primary or secondary teaching certificate | Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited university in one of the listed countries |
| Nationality | National of the country where you apply | Citizen of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, the US or South Africa; or India under CEPA with an English teaching certificate |
| TEFL | Not required, but an asset | 100+ hours, unless you have a teaching licence or an education degree |
| Pay (checked October 2026) | About 4.02 million yen before tax in year 1 | 2.1 to 2.8 million won a month, by level and region |
| When to apply | October to November or early December | February to July (late August start) or August to January (late February start) |
The JET Programme (Japan)
Who can apply
JET lists these main conditions for assistant language teachers (ALTs) (JET eligibility):
- Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher by the arrival date, or hold a teaching certificate for primary or secondary schools.
- Be a national of the country where you apply. A permanent resident is not enough.
- Have excellent language ability, with good pronunciation and sentence structure.
- Be “both mentally and physically healthy”.
- Have no record of crimes that would make you unsuitable, such as DUI, drug offences, sexual offences or crimes involving children.
- Meet the limits on past JET participation and on years already lived in Japan. The eligibility page sets the exact years for each round.
- Show interest in Japanese education and willingness to work with children.
A TEFL or teaching certificate “is not a requirement”, but JET says it is an asset in selection (JET FAQ).
How and when to apply
You apply to the Embassy or Consulate of Japan in your home country, by the deadline it sets. The usual timeline is (JET):
| When | Step |
|---|---|
| October to November or early December | Applications accepted (the deadline varies by country) |
| January | First notice after the embassy reviews applications |
| February | Interviews at embassies and consulates |
| Late March to April | Results for shortlisted candidates and alternates |
| May to July | Health forms and placement details |
| July or August | Departure, then an orientation in Tokyo |
You cannot choose where you are placed. JET places people after looking at both their requests and the needs of the employers (JET FAQ).
Pay and conditions
From the JET FAQ, checked October 2026:
- Pay: about 4.02 million yen before tax in the first year, 4.14 million in the second and 4.26 million in the third.
- Contract: one year. You can be reappointed up to two more times (three years in total), and up to five years for exceptional performance.
- Hours: 35 a week.
- Flights: your employer pays the airfare to Japan, and the return airfare if you finish your appointment and leave within one month.
- Housing: you arrange and pay for it yourself. First costs are often 4 to 7 months’ rent.
- Tax and insurance: you pay Japanese income and resident tax, and you pay into health insurance through your salary.
Teaching English in Japan outside JET
Private language schools and companies hire English teachers directly. You need a status of residence from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Two are common for teachers:
| Status | Who it is for | Main rules |
|---|---|---|
| Instructor | Language and other teaching at elementary, junior high and high schools and similar institutions | A university degree or equivalent. For language teaching, 12 years or more of education in that language. Periods of stay: 5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 3 months |
| Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services | Includes language teachers at private companies | A degree, or 3 years of experience. Graduates teaching a language do not need the 3 years. Pay must be at least what a Japanese national would get. Periods of stay: 5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 3 months |
Sources: Instructor, Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services.
The employer usually applies for a Certificate of Eligibility for you in Japan. Ask the school which status it will use, and check that the job matches it.
EPIK (Korea)
What EPIK is
EPIK (English Program in Korea) started in 1995. Since 2007 it has been run by NIIED, an institute under Korea’s Ministry of Education. Teachers work in public elementary, middle and high schools (EPIK overview).
Who can apply
From EPIK eligibility:
- Citizenship: a citizen of a country where English is the primary language: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States or South Africa. Indian citizens can apply under CEPA if they hold a valid teaching certificate in English education.
- Schooling: you must have studied from at least junior high level (grade 7) and graduated from university in the listed countries.
- Degree: at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in those countries.
- TEFL: a TEFL, TESOL or CELTA of at least 100 hours, unless you have a teaching licence, a B.Ed., an M.Ed. or an education major. You can finish it during the application, but no later than 6 weeks before arrival.
- Health and language: “mentally and physically healthy”, with a good command of English.
How and when to apply
EPIK has two intakes a year (EPIK application process):
| Step | Fall term | Spring term |
|---|---|---|
| Apply | February to July | August to January |
| Online interview and documents | April to July | October to January |
| Visa documents | June to July | December to January |
| Visa application at a Korean embassy or consulate | July to August | January to February |
| Orientation and contract start | Late August | Late February |
You can apply directly to EPIK, or through its partner organisations or recruitment agencies.
Documents
EPIK asks for these, among others (EPIK documents):
- A national-level criminal record check from your country of citizenship, with an apostille.
- A copy of your bachelor’s degree, with an apostille.
- Sealed transcripts from your university.
Start early. Criminal record checks and apostilles can take weeks.
Pay and benefits
EPIK pays 2.1 to 2.8 million won a month, depending on your level and region (checked October 2026). Level 3 is a bachelor’s degree in any subject. Level 2 needs an education degree, a 100+ hour TEFL or a teacher’s licence. Levels 2+, 1 and 1+ need teaching experience. EPIK also lists housing provided by the education office, a settlement allowance, an entrance allowance, a completion bonus and severance pay (EPIK salary and benefits). Our salary and benefits guide has the full table.
The E-2 visa in Korea
Foreign language teachers in Korea usually hold an E-2 visa. The Korean consulate in Montreal describes it as a visa for people who meet the Minister of Justice’s qualifications and plan to teach conversational language at approved institutions. The stay is “up to 2 years (the duration indicated on your Visa Issuance Certificate) but, generally 13 months” (Consulate General in Montreal).
For EPIK teachers, the consulate asks for the EPIK Notice of Appointment and the original contract with the visa application. Teachers at private English academies apply with a visa issuance number from the employer (Consulate General in Boston). Each consulate lists its own documents and fees, so check the page of the consulate where you will apply.
Before you accept a private school job
Private language schools in both countries hire all year. Before you accept:
- Get the full contract in writing: pay, hours, housing, flights and what happens if you leave early.
- Check which visa the school will sponsor and that you meet its rules.
- Apply on the school’s own website or through the official programme. You should not pay anyone for a job offer. See our guide to teacher recruitment scams.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a TEFL certificate to teach English in Japan or Korea?
For JET, no: a TEFL or teaching certificate is not required, but it is an asset in selection. For EPIK, yes, in most cases. You need a TEFL, TESOL or CELTA of at least 100 hours unless you have a teaching licence, a B.Ed., an M.Ed. or an education major.
Which nationalities can join EPIK?
EPIK is open to citizens of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States and South Africa. Indian citizens can also apply under CEPA if they hold a valid teaching certificate in English education. You must also have studied from grade 7 and graduated from university in those countries.
How much does the JET Programme pay?
JET says participants get about 4.02 million yen before tax in their first year, 4.14 million in the second and 4.26 million in the third. You pay Japanese income and resident tax. Your employer pays your airfare to Japan, but you pay for your own housing.
When should I apply for JET or EPIK?
JET applications are usually accepted from October to November or early December, through the Embassy of Japan in your home country. EPIK has two intakes: apply from February to July to start in late August, or from August to January to start in late February.
Which visa do English teachers need in Japan?
JET participants enter under the status the programme specifies. Teachers hired directly often use the Instructor status, for schools, or the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status, which includes language teachers at private companies. Both need a degree or equivalent, and the second needs pay at least equal to a Japanese national’s.